To Lam made the call on October 30 at a ceremony marking the 195th anniversary of the province's establishment on November 4, 1831. The ceremony also saw Thai Nguyen receive the first-class Labour Order and the opening of the 2026 Thai Nguyen International Tea Festival.
Congratulating Thai Nguyen on its achievements, the General Secretary and President said the province should look beyond its 195th anniversary towards its bicentenary and the country's development goals for 2045.
He said future growth must be based on labour productivity, scientific and technological capacity, innovation and quality of life. Advantages from low-cost labour are diminishing while environmental requirements are becoming stricter. Reaching a high-income level before 2045 requires solid foundations for sustainable development.
He called for building a clean and strong provincial Party organisation, improving public services and strengthening public trust.
The two-tier local administration model must operate smoothly, with stronger capacity at the commune level, especially in mountainous areas, so residents can access public services conveniently. Long-term targets should be translated into annual tasks with clearly assigned responsibilities and public oversight.
The leader urged the province to strengthen industrial autonomy by placing science, technology and human resources at the centre of its strategy. Alongside attracting quality investment, it should help domestic businesses upgrade technology, meet standards and participate more deeply in supply chains.
He also called for balanced development that brings together industry, urban areas and ecology, with investment prioritised according to practical effectiveness. Urban and industrial park planning must address energy demand, housing, waste treatment and flood drainage.
To Lam stressed the need to preserve traditional values while raising the international profile of Thai Nguyen tea. Knowledge and skills related to cultivating and processing Tan Cuong tea and other local varieties should be passed on to future generations, while landscapes are protected and livelihoods improve.
Cooperatives, businesses and households should be supported in applying technology throughout the production chain, protecting geographical indications, preventing origin fraud and developing new products while maintaining the tea's distinctive qualities.
The international tea festival should bring together growers, artisans, businesses and foreign partners to exchange knowledge and expand markets. Its success should be measured by brand recognition, market expansion and higher incomes for tea producers rather than the scale of events.
The leader also stressed that industrial growth must go hand in hand with better housing, education, healthcare and living conditions for workers. Mountainous areas need improved access to essential services, vocational training and employment, while disadvantaged children should receive adequate education and skills.
At the ceremony, the top leader presented the first-class Labour Order to the Party organisation, authorities and ethnic communities of Thai Nguyen in recognition of their achievements in attracting investment and contributing to national socio-economic development. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh presented a certificate recognising Thai Nguyen tea cultivation and processing as part of the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
